Clara Luvanga scored in the 84th minute to lift the Washington Spirit to a 3-2 victory over the Houston Dash on Sunday night at Shell Energy Stadium.
Luvanga became the first Tanzanian player to score in a National Women’s Soccer League match.
The Spirit (15-8-4) twice saw a one-goal lead disappear before Luvanga got the winner. Claudia Martínez, an 18-year-old rookie, set up Luvanga for a one-on-one chance against goalkeeper Jane Campbell.
Houston (8-13-6) got two goals from Miljana Ivanovic.
Tara Rudd gave Washington the lead in the 11th minute, heading in a corner kick from Esme Morgan. Ivanovic answered before halftime, pouncing on a failed clearance and driving a shot from outside the penalty area to make it 1-1.
Trinity Rodman and Sofia Cantore restored Washington’s lead in the 51st minute. The pair broke free on a counterattack, and Rodman slipped a pass behind Houston’s back line for Cantore to finish.
Ivanovic responded again in the 59th minute, collecting a bouncing ball off a corner kick and scoring.